A faint drift echoed through the empty streets.
Cold wind brushed past the road as silence wrapped everything.
Ashura stood still. His eyes narrowed slightly as he sensed something off.
For a brief second… everything felt wrong.
Beside him, Aaron clenched his teeth tightly. His jaw tensed.
"What is this, Ashura…?" he muttered angrily.
Ashura didn't answer.
His body froze for a moment.
Then—
Six black cars slowly rolled in and stopped right in front of them.
The sound of tires scraping the wet road broke the silence.
Doors opened one by one.
Click… click…
Men stepped out slowly. Their presence alone felt heavy.
The air turned suffocating.
A voice cut through the silence.
Cold. Sharp. Commanding.
"Ashura Rivaan…"
A pause.
"Surrender."
Ashura's breath hitched slightly.
His chest rose for a second.
"Hah…"
Inside the house, the atmosphere felt light and warm.
Soft laughter echoed gently as the scent of perfume filled the air.
For a moment… everything felt peaceful.
Avni stood in front of the mirror.
Ruhi stood right behind her, watching quietly.
Avni slowly braided her hair. Her fingers moved with care.
"You still want me to braid your hair…?" Avni chuckled softly.
Ruhi narrowed her eyes slightly, biting her lip.
"Yeah…"
A small silence fell between them.
"Where is Ashura…?" Ruhi asked quietly.
"I don't know…" Avni sighed lightly.
"Looks like he's trying to run away from your birthday again."
Ruhi lowered her head.
"…I hope he doesn't get into trouble…"
Avni chuckled and leaned closer. "Don't be sad, birthday girl…"
She gently kissed Ruhi's cheek.
"Thanks, didi…" Ruhi smiled softly.
For a brief moment, her expression brightened.
But behind that smile… worry still lingered.
"Come on," Avni held her hand and pulled her gently.
"Let's go."
"Okay…" Ruhi nodded softly.
They left the room together.
The door closed quietly behind them.
The room fell silent.
On the floor… Ashura's photo lay tilted.
A voice appeared from behind.
Cold… hollow… ruthless.
"Ashura…"
Ashura slowly turned back.
His eyes froze for a moment.
On the wall… a boy stood casually.
His arms were folded across his chest.
Half of his face looked human.
The other half… was corrupted.
Dark veins spread across his skin. His eye glowed faintly.
He laughed.
A low… distorted sound.
"Finally… I've met you…"
His gaze locked onto Ashura.
"The boy I've always heard about…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Subject #091…"
A twisted smile appeared on his lips.
"It will be… beautiful…"
"To convert you into a Humaris…"
Aaron clenched his fists tightly.
"Ashura… they came to kidnap you…" he muttered under his breath.
"I know…" Ashura nodded slowly.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
His eyes scanned the surroundings.
Rain dripped from the cars. Shadows moved around them.
"They're twenty-four… normal humans…"
He paused.
His gaze returned to the boy on the wall.
"…And that one…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…is not normal."
A voice rose from the crowd of enemies.
"It's been a long time… Ashura."
Ashura froze for a second.
Then he turned back instantly.
"Ishaan…" he spoke coldly.
Ishaan stared at him in silence.
His eyes carried something darker than before.
A faint smirk formed on his lips.
"Happy birthday… boy."
"Don't need your wishes," Ashura replied without hesitation.
His voice remained sharp.
Aaron glanced between them.
"…You know him?" he whispered.
Ashura didn't look away from Ishaan.
"He tried to kidnap me… twice before."
Aaron's expression hardened.
"Oh… so he's a real threat…"
His stance shifted slightly, ready for anything.
Suddenly—
From behind, the corrupted boy raised his hand.
Flames gathered instantly.
"Dodge this…!" he screamed in amusement.
A blazing fireball shot forward.
The heat distorted the air itself.
"Ashura—move, idiot!" Aaron yelled.
He grabbed Ashura's arm and pulled him aside instantly.
The fireball crashed into the ground.
BOOM—
A crater formed as flames spread wildly.
Smoke rose into the rain.
Ashura stared at the destruction.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…This power…"
"…It's superior…"
"I said don't rush it!" Ishaan yelled sharply.
His tone turned irritated.
The corrupted boy clicked his tongue.
"…Sorry."
"I'll wait."
A twisted smile returned to his face.
Ashura stared at Ishaan coldly.
Then… he chuckled.
"You brought an army, Ishaan…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Just to lose again?"
Those words sliced through the air.
Like a knife.
Ishaan's expression darkened instantly.
"You brat…" his voice turned sharp.
"How confident you are…"
Ashura didn't reply.
He slowly pulled out his gun.
Click.
Without hesitation—
He fired.
The bullet shot straight into the car's engine.
For a split second… silence.
Then—
BOOOOM—
The engine ignited instantly.
Flames burst out violently.
"RUN—!" a guard screamed in panic.
But it was too late.
The car exploded.
Fire blasted outward, throwing bodies across the street.
Screams filled the air.
"AAAHHH—!"
Smoke and flames rose into the rain.
The ground cracked, leaving a burning crater.
Ashura stood still.
Unshaken.
Aaron stared in disbelief.
"What the hell…"
Ishaan raised his hand instantly.
"You brat…!" his voice burned with anger.
Flames gathered violently around his palm.
Then—
He unleashed it.
A blazing stream of fire shot forward.
A flamethrower roared through the air.
Aaron stepped in front of Ashura without hesitation.
His eyes sharpened.
"Water Magic…"
"Waves of Aqua."
A heavy surge of water burst from his hands.
The ground trembled as the wave rushed forward.
SSSSHHHH—
Fire and water collided.
Steam exploded into the air, covering everything in white mist.
The flames were erased completely.
The water surged forward—
BOOM—
It slammed directly into Ishaan.
"AAAHH—!"
His body was thrown backward.
He crashed across the ground, sliding through the wet road.
For a moment…
Silence.
Ishaan slowly stood up again.
Water dripped from his body.
His expression turned darker than before.
From behind—
The corrupted boy watched everything.
His glowing eye widened slightly.
"Ohhhh…" he muttered.
"So they're dominating…"
Then—
He started laughing.
A twisted, excited laugh.
"HAHAHAHA…"
He jumped down from the wall.
His body landed with a heavy thud.
"Now…"
His smile widened unnaturally.
"Let's end this."
Ashura stared at Aaron for a second.
Rain slid down his face as his eyes narrowed.
"You're stronger than Ishaan…"
Aaron gave a short nod.
"Hmmm…"
"That guy… is just a human with a little Luminaris power…"
Ashura's gaze shifted slowly.
"But that boy…"
Aaron turned back toward the battlefield.
His expression froze.
"…is stronger than me."
A pause.
"…No… stronger than all of us combined."
"Just because he has both…"
Aaron swallowed.
"Luminaris power… and human aura…"
Ashura's eyes turned cold.
For a brief second—everything slowed.
BANG—
A bullet tore through his chest.
Blood burst from his mouth.
"—AHH…!"
His body jerked slightly.
"Ashura!!" Aaron screamed.
His voice echoed through the chaos.
From the side—
A guard lowered his gun.
His eyes were cold and focused.
"Ishaan jii…" the guard spoke quickly.
"We have to capture him now…"
Ishaan slowly stood up.
His body was still soaked and burned.
Blood dripped from his lips.
Aaron's expression snapped.
His hand shot forward instantly.
Sharp steel spikes burst from the ground.
SHHK—
They pierced straight through the guard's neck.
Blood sprayed into the rain.
The guard collapsed.
His body hit the ground lifeless.
Ashura stared for a moment.
His breathing turned uneven.
Blood kept dripping from his mouth.
"Ashura!" Aaron yelled again.
"We can't win this… we have to run!"
Ashura clenched his chest tightly.
Pain spread through his body.
"…Yeah…"
He nodded weakly.
Ashura froze for a second.
Then his hand slowly moved to his chest.
Blood was pouring out.
He clutched the wound tightly.
His breathing didn't change… not even slightly.
Aaron stared at him nervously.
"That bullet… hit your ribcage…"
His voice trembled.
This… isn't normal…
His thoughts went silent.
Can he even walk…?
Ashura slowly stood up.
His body moved… as if nothing had happened.
"Aaron… let's go," he muttered.
His voice was cold.
No pain.
No emotion.
Nothing.
Aaron's eyes widened.
"…Are you even human?"
Ashura glanced at him.
Then gave a small nod.
"…Don't waste time."
Aaron stared at him for a moment.
"This guy… is something else…" his voice turned firm, almost admiring.
Ashura clutched his chest slightly.
Blood slowly seeped from the left side, dripping down his clothes.
He didn't react to the pain.
Instead, he glanced at Aaron calmly.
"Aaron… handle that supernatural guy," he said coldly.
"I'll take care of the rest."
Aaron's eyes widened. "Ashura… you're injured…"
"How are you going to fight them alone?"
Ashura smirked faintly.
"I can."
Silence.
Aaron froze for a second.
This dude… is insane…
His hands trembled slightly.
Then slowly… he tightened his grip.
"…Fine," he nodded. "As you say."
He turned toward the corrupted man.
Aaron's expression hardened instantly.
"You die, bastard!" he yelled.
The corrupted man smirked back.
"…Let's see."
A guard suddenly raised his gun.
"Don't move!"
Ashura vanished in an instant.
The guard froze. His eyes widened.
"Where did he go—?!"
He started searching frantically.
Ishaan clutched his chest.
"He didn't disappear…" he muttered under his breath.
"He ran away."
A gunshot echoed.
The bullet pierced through the guard's chest.
His body jerked violently. Blood poured from his mouth.
"Ahhhh—!" he screamed, clutching his chest.
He dropped to his knees.
"Ishaan yelled, "Find him! Now!"
Guards scattered instantly.
Behind a broken wall, Ashura stood silently.
His breathing was heavy. His hand pressed tightly against his chest.
"I… can't die here…" he whispered.
"Ruhi is waiting for me…"
He raised his gun again.
Bang.
Another shot fired.
Bang.
Again.
Bang.
"Ishaan screamed, "He's behind the wall!"
He pointed toward Ashura's position.
Aaron spoke coldly, a fireball burning in his palm.
"What's your name… child?" his voice echoed with quiet authority.
He slowly circled the corrupted boy. His eyes never left him.
The boy moved as well, stepping in a slow circle around Aaron.
His lips twisted into a disturbing smile.
"Ayush…" he muttered crazily. "Your child…"
Aaron's expression didn't change. Their eyes locked.
Ayush raised his hand slowly. A fireball ignited in his palm.
The flames flickered wildly… unstable… corrupted.
For a second, both of them stood still.
Then—
"Die!" Aaron roared.
He launched the fireball forward with force.
Ayush laughed madly. "You too!"
He threw his own fireball.
The two flames collided mid-air.
—
BOOM!
A violent explosion erupted between them.
The impact pushed both of them backward.
Dust and fire scattered across the ground.
The air burned with heat.
Both of them steadied their footing slowly.
Their eyes met again.
This fight… had just begun.
Aaron clenched his fist tightly. A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"You think combining humans into Luminarisis makes you superior…?"
"Never…"
He thrust his hand forward. A force ball shot toward Ayush.
Ayush raised his hand lazily. A glowing shield formed instantly.
The attack crashed into it—
—and vanished.
"Idiot…" Ayush muttered, his voice distorted. "That was very weak."
Aaron's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward, trying to counter.
But the shield didn't break.
It disappeared smoothly… like it was never there.
Aaron froze for a second.
This is bad…
He clenched his teeth in anger.
Ayush suddenly vanished.
In the next instant—
He appeared right in front of Aaron.
BAM!
A powerful punch struck Aaron's jaw. The force was invisible… but devastating.
Aaron stumbled back instantly. "Ouch—!"
He clutched his jaw in pain.
Before he could react—
Ayush's kick slammed into his chest.
THUD!
Aaron was pushed further back.
Another kick—
This time at his knee.
His balance broke completely.
Then—
A blazing fireball struck him directly.
"Die… you bastard!" Ayush screamed crazily.
The flames engulfed the space around Aaron.
Aaron began chanting under his breath. His voice was low… controlled.
The flames around him slowly faded.
Ayush stared in disbelief. His twisted grin flickered.
"How… how did you do that…?" he muttered crazily.
Aaron smirked faintly.
"You think gaining power is enough…?"
His eyes turned colder.
"Learning how to use it… is what makes you strong."
He raised his hand slowly.
The ground beneath them trembled.
Then—
Two massive hands burst out from the earth.
BAM!
They struck Ayush from both sides.
Ayush stumbled back violently. "Ahhh—!"
He clutched his cheek, his expression twisted in pain.
Aaron stepped forward slowly.
Behind him… multiple hands emerged from the ground.
They rose like shadows… surrounding him.
He sat calmly on a giant hand-like structure.
His gaze locked onto Ayush.
Cold. Unshaken.
"You're weak."
Aaron's voice echoed.
A sharp sound cut through the air.
A dart shot forward—
—and pierced Aaron's neck.
He froze instantly.
"…Huh…?" his body stiffened.
Aaron clutched his neck. His strength began fading rapidly.
His knees hit the ground.
"What… is this…?" his voice weakened.
A cold voice echoed from the shadows.
"Eclipse Fruit…"
A faint giggle followed.
Aaron's eyes widened in disbelief.
"…Eclipse… fruit…?"
He coughed violently. Blood spilled from his mouth.
"No…"
Ayush slowly stood up.
A twisted laugh escaped him.
"Finally… we win…"
The bald man stepped forward calmly.
"Where is Ashura?" he asked coldly.
"Don't know…" Ayush replied, scanning the area.
A smirk spread across his face.
"We got another subject for testing."
"Hahaha…" the bald man laughed darkly.
⚔️ Scene Shift
A blade pierced through flesh.
Ashura gasped sharply.
Blood poured from his mouth.
Ishaan stood in front of him… his blade buried deep in Ashura's chest.
Without hesitation—
Ashura raised his gun.
BANG!
The bullet pierced Ishaan's chest.
His body jerked violently.
Both of them stood there.
Bleeding.
Broken.
Still staring at each other.
Cold.
"Die…" Ashura muttered.
"Lose…" Ishaan whispered back.
Blood dripped from both of their mouths.
The ground beneath them was soaked red.
Around them…
Everything was destroyed.
Corpses of guards lay scattered everywhere.
Silence filled the battlefield.
Ashura's vision blurred slightly.
Ruhi…
His breath grew heavier.
I'm coming.
Chapter 17 Ended
Apologies for the delay, exams had me on the edge of death 😭
I'm back now—hope you enjoy this chapter!